Lions Tigers and Bears Founder Presented with Award for Sanctuary Excellence

Alpine, CA — The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) presented the seventh Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence to Bobbi Brink in a ceremony at Lions Tigers and Bears sanctuary on Saturday, December 12, 2015.

Staff, volunteers and community supporters of the sanctuary, including a representative of the office of California Senator Joel Anderson were in attendance. Representatives of GFAS present for the ceremony included Adam Roberts, President; Dr. Kim Haddad, Treasurer; and Kellie Heckman, Executive Director.

“The scope of Bobbi’s efforts in rescuing and providing lifetime sanctuary to animals is inspirational and truly embodies the spirit of this award,” explains Heckman.

The Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence is given annually to a sanctuary or individual who embodies and puts into practice the GFAS philosophy of vision, dedication and excellence in animal care. It was initially given in 2009 to memorialize Carole Noon, the founder of Save the Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary in Fort Peirce, Florida, who recognized the injustice of using chimpanzees in experiments and ambitiously fought to provide a place where they could spend the rest of their lives in peace.

“There are so many people doing amazing work for animals at sanctuaries and rescue centers worldwide, which makes choosing just one as the award recipient a real challenge,” observes Heckman. “However, Bobbi stands out within the sanctuary community by serving where she can as a leader, partner and mentor.”

“It is an honor to receive this recognition. However, our work is not over yet. There are still so many animals out there living in unacceptable conditions that need our help, and we won’t stop until the abuse ends once and for all,” reflects Bobbi Brink in response to receiving the award.

Past award recipients include Carole Noon of Save the Chimps, Florida (2009), Jill Robinson of Animals Asia, Vietnam and China (2010), Stany Nyandwi of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda (2011), The Donkey Sanctuary, United Kingdom (2012), Pat Derby of Performing Animals Welfare Society, California (2013), Jorg Huckabee Mayfield of White Bird Appaloosa Rescue, Virginia (2014).

Funds supporting this award were granted by American Anti-Vivisection Society, Born Free USA, Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare and private donations.

About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries: 

Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries/rescues worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting sanctuaries/rescues is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner. They represent top leadership from American Anti-Vivisection Society, Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Tigers in America. For more information, visit: localhost.

About Lions Tigers and Bears

Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) is a federally and state licensed non-profit 501 (c)(3) rescue sanctuary dedicated to providing a safe haven to abused and abandoned exotic animals while inspiring an educational forum to end the exotic animal trade. Founded in 2002, LTB is a NO KILL, NO BREED and NO SELL facility that allows animals in its care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. LTB is one of few sanctuaries in the United States with the highest level of accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association. For more information or to make a donation to help care for the animals at LTB, please visit www.LionsTigersAndBears.org or call (619) 659-8078.

Download the press release here.